Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s secret services, said in a statement that they would soon start a guerrilla war in the Russian-occupied territories. It comes as a separatist leader in eastern Ukraine says his region wants to hold a vote on joining Russia. Biden warns Putin not to go “an inch” of NATO territory – the last for Ukraine Key developments: • This woman is fighting her own battle against Putin – and all she needs is her cell phone • Responding to sanctions, Putin is trying to wield his own financial sword • Strong explosions on the outskirts of Lviv in Western Ukraine • Kremlin summit Military officials make their first appearance in weeks after “significant” silence • Theater bombing survivor speaks of chaos in besieged Mariupol Leonid Pasechnik, the leader of the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Luhansk, said he could hold a referendum “in the near future” to ask voters if they support the region becoming part of Russia. Russia has supported separatist insurgents in the region, and near Donetsk, since an uprising broke out there in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea. Following a recent briefing by the UK Department of Defense, which said the battlefield in northern Ukraine remained “largely static”, Russian troops were focusing their efforts on “encircling” Ukrainian forces in the east. The Foreign Ministry said local counterattacks had hampered Russia’s efforts to reorganize its forces. There are fears that Chernihiv, in the north, could become the next Mariupol, with 44 seriously injured – including three children – unable to be evacuated for treatment, the city mayor said. The city has been cut off by Russian forces. Lviv, to the west, has also come under fire, with Putin’s forces hitting a fuel depot with high-precision cruise missiles. Meanwhile, two humanitarian corridors have been agreed for Sunday, according to the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine. Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said the corridors, which are used to evacuate civilians from the front line areas, will extend from the Luhansk and Donetsk regions and will include people leaving Mariupol in private cars. Sanctions could be lifted if the invasion ends The foreign minister said sanctions against oligarchs, banks and businesses could be lifted if Russia ended its invasion of Ukraine. Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Liz Truss said the “emergency sanctions” would be maintained if the Russian president did attack again. Ms Trous said a “negotiating unit” had been set up at the State Department to help with possible peace talks. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:38 “Strong” explosions outside Lviv As the Kremlin’s troops continue to fight, her comments could be seen as an incentive for Vladimir Putin to reduce his losses and agree on a deal with Ukraine. Her comments echo those of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who said travel bans and asset freezes were “not designed to be permanent”. Nadhim Zahawi told Sophy Ridge on Sunday that “the Russian military has miscalculated” its invasion of Ukraine. “Ukrainians have fought like lions,” he said. “They defended their country. They believe in their freedom.” Regarding a possible peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, he said that any serious peace agreement should be negotiated “face to face between Presidents Zelensky and Putin.” Putin “can not stay in power” The United States has no strategy for regime change in Russia, Secretary of State John Kerry has said, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin “can not stay in power.” “I think the president, the White House, pointed out last night that, quite simply, President Putin can not have the power to wage war or attack Ukraine or anyone else,” Blinken said during a visit to Jerusalem. “As you know, and as you have heard us say over and over again, we do not have a regime change strategy in Russia – or anywhere else – on this issue.” In a powerful speech in Warsaw, Poland, the US president relied on previous statements in which he called Vladimir Putin a “butcher”, describing him as a “dictator” and saying that ending the war in Ukraine was “the task of our time”. . Image: Speaking after a visit to meet some Ukrainian refugees, Biden was asked by the press about his thoughts on Vladimir Putin He said: “Barbarism will never stifle the will to be free. “Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia.” “In the name of God, this man can not stay in power,” Biden said at the end of his speech. The White House later denied that the US president was calling for regime change. Mr Biden’s speech concludes a four-day trip that also included a previous stop for a series of summits in Brussels. A Kremlin spokesman said in a statement that Biden “did not decide what to do with it. The president of Russia is elected by the Russians.” Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:18 “This man can not stay in power” Biden also told the Russian people that “he is not the enemy,” saying he refused to believe that they welcomed the violence and misery that their troops are bringing to Ukraine. “Millions of families are being evicted from their homes, including half of Ukraine’s children,” he said. “These are not the actions of a great nation.” Biden’s words came hours before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered one of his regular speeches, calling for more from Western nations, including planes, tanks, missile defense and anti-ship weapons. Subscribe to Ukraine War Diaries on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Spreaker “This is what our partners have,” he said. “This is what is covered with dust in their warehouses. “Ultimately, all this is for freedom, not just in Ukraine – it is for freedom in Europe.”
